DHB Merger Premature And Unwise
“Health Minister’s Approval Of Top-Down Otago-Southland DHB Merger Premature And Unwise; Senior Doctors Ignored”
“Health Minister Tony Ryall’s decision to
approve the merger of the Otago and Southland district
health boards is premature and unwise,” said Mr Ian
Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried
Medical Specialists, today.
“His acceptance of a
top-down decision-making process and ignoring of warnings
from senior doctors and nurses will only reinforce fears
that clinical services in Southland will continue to be
run-down.”
“Before any merger proceeded, the top-down
managerialism culture in both DHBs, especially Southland,
should have been addressed and clinical staff in both DHBs
should have been to work together as equal partners in
advising on how clinical services should best be organised
and delivered in the two provinces.”
“Mr Ryall has
been a strong supporter of our call for increasing clinical
engagement and leadership in DHBs. We commend him for this
but unfortunately this unwise decision gives mixed
messages.”
“If it is to mean anything substantial, clinical engagement and leadership in district health boards should not be for some things but not for others depending on political or managerial whims” concluded Mr Powell.
ends